The Red Lands

Manpower and Management

Chu hopped off the wagon on the road and followed Ming up to the closed south gate. Beyond the wooden palisade, the village maintained a still, winter silence. Their shuffles on the snowy road, however, didn't go unnoticed.

"Stop right there! State your purpose."

The sudden gruff voice caused them to pause. The soft rustle and movement behind the thick fence helped in finding the owner. Ming bent slightly forward while sheltering his eyes with a hand. Like a peering old woman, he dripped an answer as if replying to a disrespectful junior.

"Six tooth Potts, I know it's you scratching back there. You'd better swing this gate open or else I'll report you to Rugol. I want to see how your skin and bones stand up against the Demon Beast Slayer!"

A single wide-opened eye appeared from behind one of the cracks. Almost immediately, the gate creaked open as a lanky man with knotted shoulder-length hair ambled out. The fawning smile displayed the origins of the man's nickname.

"Why if it isn't young Ming? It's been so long since I last saw you. How is Master Rugol? My wife has been hounding me to find out when he will visit the village."

"Hah? Why do you want to know this? So you can earn a few coppers by sharing the news? Make way since my brother is busy today. As a gatekeeper, your actions are appalling."

Ming replied with a halo of righteousness. Following the footsteps of Chu, he leaned towards the man.

"If you're willing to share, I could have Rugol visit the village next week. I'll even convince him to walk with that legendary spear of his..."

The home of the newly appointed Chief Drey consisted of the common mud and stone type house with a thatched roof. An open courtyard slightly wider in size differentiated it from the neighbors. Under an open shed on one side, a large cauldron simmered over an open fire. The cook dropped another log in the dying fire before dolling out large spoons of the steaming watery gruel.

Chu bypassed the waiting lines of empty bowls to walk to a pot-less table.

"Chief Drey, I take it everything is running smoothly thus far?"

The middle-aged man at the table looked up to the speaker and then widened his eyes. Standing up, he greeted the newcomers with a polite bow.

"Ah, Apprent...I mean young master Chu, what an unexpected surprise. Have a seat, please have a seat. What brings you by to the village?"

The village chief asked while wringing his hands. His official appointment letter arrived from Karst only a few days ago. With it also came a token of bravery and courage and a personal gift in gold coins.

His act of standing firm and protecting the interest of the Empire had landed him a place within the scrolls of history. The true architect of this achievement, however, sat before him.

"Don't worry Chief Drey. My words remain the same. Whatever gains you receive are yours alone since I prefer peace and quiet. I have come seeking help for a particular project which will be of mutual interest to us both."

Chu said while rolling out a sketch map of the surrounding area.

Smiling at the worried man, he hoped to soothe his nerves.

Having a companion who delved into gossip could never be underestimated. During the short walk from the south gate to the home of the chief, Ming had soaked in all the relevant and juicy gossip.

"My plans require this portion of land near my farm. Before we go further, it would be great if the Commander of the Garrison and the interim leader of the Trading Post were also present."

Chu sighed while making his humble request.

A short time after, Chu sat in the familiar quarters he and Griz, and later, he and John once conversed. The temporary leader of the Trading Post was an older man with a greying goatee and thinning hair. Chu recalled him as one of the assistants under John.

As for the newly appointed Garrison Commander, he was none other than Captain Joss, now turned Commander Joss.

"Glad to see some familiar faces since this will make it easier."

Chu remarked.

"The young master humbles us, everyone knows of the bravery of the ones living on the Thomas Farm. I witnessed with my very own eyes when the mighty Rugol speared the unstoppable leader of the demon beast. I have never forgotten that victorious night when his spear of legend, Gugnir pierced into the heart of the invincible beast."

The leader of the Trading Post recalled. His fervent eyes flashed on witnessing the pride of men that day.

Chu, on the other hand, creaked his neck to face the fidgeting companion at his side.

"Gugnir? Since when did that piece of sharpened wood become legendary? From the name alone, I know it's either you or Miki. You want people to try to rob us for a stick now?"

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Chu whispered before reopening his map on the table. Clearing his throat,

"The raids of the Demon Beasts have taken its toll on the outlying villages surrounding Karst. As a favor to the villagers for their bravery in defeating the demon beasts, I have decided to offer help."

Chu pointed to the region halfway between his farm and the village. Then he continued to move his finger all the way to the south and across the north-south road.

"First I ask for the Village Chief to aid me in acquiring this expanse of land. Come Spring, it will be used for farming and creating additional windmills."

The older men furrowed their brows before opening their eyes in shock. Recalling the distance to the farm and the area the finger encompassed had them staggering.

"Ah, just to be sure, young master Chu wants not only the lands to the north of his farm but this bigger portion to the south as well?"

"Correct, Chief Drey. All the lands are either abandoned without an owner or untouched grasslands."

The normally hawk-eyed man shifted his flustered eyes between the others in the room before answering.

"Please forgive this humble Chief, young master, but even without seeing the land, I know it will be a vast amount. Farming is a difficult venture so I do not want to see the young master engage in something which may discourage him."

Chu smiled on hearing the reply.

"Chief Drey needs not to worry about me cultivating the land. Besides, didn't we have an agreement about taxes?"

"Ah, it's not about the taxes, this old one stands by the signed agreement on the scroll."

Chief Drey said. The last person in the room he wanted to cross was the boy.

"This brings me to the main issue. Before Spring is over, I must have over five hundred workers. Not only will I be farming, but I also plan on constructing a stone wall. This way, our village will be spared should a raid like this ever occur again."

Raising his head, the surrounding men glimpsed the sorrowful eyes, glazed with tears. Chu wiped as he continued.

"To boost the production of the village while supporting my requirements, I want every able-bodied person in the village who can assist me. The loss of our friends in the village is heartbreaking but we must also look forward. I would like the Trading Post to help me with purchasing at least four hundred slaves."

Chu paused to allow the stifled breaths to stabilize.

"Commander Joss and Chief Drey will assist in finding and securing homes and shelter for them in the village. They will become the future workers and inhabitants of our village. I ask the Trading Post to help in procuring the slaves who possess skills as tradesmen. This way, they can contribute later to the village."

"The idea will certainly increase the number of villagers again. With my position as Chief, I have no objection to this."

"Have no fear, when Spring arrives, the Trading Post will secure and deliver on your request. It may take longer since slaves will have to travel from Limerock or Haven. Because of the winter, and demon beast raids, Karst may not have that large a number."

"Master Chu need not worry. Today I will send a messenger to Karst outlining the need for a greater number of guards. Have no fear, this Commander gives his word that no slave you purchase will be able to flee or be injured and unable to work. Since they will eventually be future villagers, we must treat them well."

Chu nodded while showing a face of appreciation.

Before leaving, he answered the question on their faces. Removing a pouch from his sleeve, he gently poured the contents onto the flat table. Even in the light from the oil lamp, the polished stones glittered, flaunting their wealth.

For the second time, he caused the lungs in the room to stifle. Casually, he placed the token borrowed from Tyle next to the gems.

"Remember, this is the will of an unforgiving power..."

***

Chu sat at his desk after supper as he busied himself in completing a few sketches. In a world devoid of the technology to harness fossil fuels, modern machinery proved useless. The concept, however, remained the same.

In his past world, the ancient civilizations constructed mighty structures comprised of solid stone. Rollers, levers, and inclines of this world could be paired with man-powered machinery.

With no shortage of lumber, Chu focused his idea on forming treadwheel cranes. They were large, able to handle heavy loads, suitable for high-level buildings, and powered by walking. With his gear technology, capstans and winches could be used for horizontal or vertical movement.

Habor cranes worked by men walking on treadmills proved ideal for heavy lifting at the stone-cutting site because of their mobility.

If Dareck could complete the task of creating an iron chain, then his dream of inventing a man-fueled crane would become a reality. Browsing through his notes, Chu was surprised by the number of machines that he could use. If he substituted a large treadwheel in the place of a diesel engine, he could even power a large digger.

"Chu, you're snickering again. Did you make something good?"

Lucy asked. She stood at the passage to the girl's room while drying her hair with a stitched towel. Her plain-looking pajamas failed to hide her straight and girlish figure.

"You know me so well, Lucy. Hehe, I'm heading off to drop this for Bon to ponder. Didn't you have guard duty tonight?"

"Yes, but Rose scheduled a change for me. I'm rostered for tomorrow morning."

"Hmm, ever since Clod and Rose began spending more time together, they have been taking advantage of the guard roster. Tomorrow I will place a stone in their wheel."

Chu mused. The damn couple was flaunting their love as if it was hotter than a sandwich. Single teens like him reserved the right to become jealous.

Grumbling, he donned his boots and cloak. The night air slapped the warmth away as he headed down to the forge. Bon and Dareck worked a shift roster in trying to complete their allocated tasks.

"Boss, I really don't know what you've been eating to dream up these inventions. This treadwheel thing is mighty interesting."

"I'm afraid our tools will change the way of construction in the Empire."

Chu replied. By using them to build his fortress, there was no way he could completely hide the technology. Unless he planned to leave no witnesses.

"Boss, before construction, I want to choose some folks from your batch of slaves. This way, they will be the only ones allowed around the machines. I dare say when their eyes open to the opportunities here, they will never want to leave the village."

"Good idea. I'll let everyone choose a group of their own. I'll map out an organizational structure. Before our helpers arrive, we'll do some management training."

Chu said while stroking his chin.

After chatting with Bon, he walked back to the gate which opened for him. Chu waved to the night guard as he trudged towards the western gate. Closing in near the shacks Doug and company used and now part of the Research division, a popping sound entered his ears. Slowing his steps, Chu rounded the corner.

Sitting on a log, the redhead and his substitute Commander faced each other while chatting softly. Chu watched as the two of them took turns slapping their palms onto the log. Narrowing his eyes, he located the source of the sound.

Each slap on the log created a pop. Chu noticed whenever their hands approached the log, the palms would emit a brief bluish glow. Chu flashed up to them before they even noticed. Staring at the charred handprints on the log, his fingers found their ears.

"How many times have I told you not to play with magic?"